5 Pet Car Safety Options

We’ve seen it before: a family hops into their car and the dog jumps in with them. Everyone buckles up, yet Rover is unrestrained and most likely sitting on the floor. Of course, on TV everyone makes it safely to his or her destination. But what happens if you have to make a sudden stop? Your dog loses balance and bumps into everything as it lurches forward.

Car safety is often overlooked for pets because they do not fit in a conventional seatbelt. Pet car safety is something that slips our minds because it wasn’t a big part of driver’s ed. However, keeping your pet safe in the car is just as important as any passenger.

Here are 5 ways to keep your pets secured in a car:

1. Travel Harness

For small to medium dogs, a harness is a good option for keeping their rumps in the seat. The harnesses are usually step-in and are clipped or fastened to your car seat. There are other options for smaller dogs (under 25 pounds) to have their own seatbelt clips that work with any harness as well. It is recommended to measure your dog before buying a harness to ensure a comfortable fit. The Sleepypod Clickit utility ranked Top Performer in the Center for Pet Safety’s 2013 Safety Harness Study, according to Today.

2. Leash and Zip Line

For bigger dogs that like to look out both windows, this system works perfectly. A stretch of rope goes between both ceiling handles of the car, and a leash is secured to the harness of your dog connecting it to the horizontal rope. This allows your dog to comfortably move around without sliding all over the seat.

3. Car Seat

For small dogs up to 20 pounds or cats, a car seat is another good option. Pet carriers can function as a car seat if they have the proper outlets for tethering the carrier to the seat. Having a carrier made specifically for the car also allows you to clip your pet’s harness to the inside of the carrier to minimalize sliding and danger. Most carriers like this double as both out-of-car and in-car carriers. Gunner Kennel G1 Intermediate with Strength Rated Anchor Straps was a top performer in the Pet Safety’s Harness study. Another option would be the Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed with PPRS Handilock, which was another top performer.

4. Booster Seat

Another option for small dogs or cats is to have a booster seat. This seat is raised to allow the pet view of the window and has a tether to secure their harness to the seat. This comfortable seat allows your pet the pleasure of looking out the window without the danger of being unsecured.

5. Travel Barrier

There are options for blockades into the front seat to keep your pup in the back. This cover goes around the front seats and creates a blocker between the two front seats. By keeping your dog in the back, you are less distracted as a driver, and the dog is more encouraged to stay seated.

Today recently published an article about how pet restraints fail many safety tests because they are not regulated. The article provides more information, including the top performers in pet safety. So before buying a pet-restraining product, make sure it is effective in keeping your pet safe!

How do you keep your pet safe in the car? Leave a comment and let us know!

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